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International Commercial Law

Module description

In the module, you will critically examine key debates in transnational commercial law. You will critically examine, in detail, some of the challenges of cross-border commercial transactions, as well as harmonisation and uniform law initiatives; and key international instruments such as the Vienna Convention on the International Sale of Goods and UNCITRAL Model Law and the New York Convention in international commercial arbitration, in addition to proposals for the future development of this area of law. This module is valuable for students considering working or pursuing further research in the area of transnational commercial law. It is recommended that students have studied commercial and contract law at undergraduate level, although this is not mandatory.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The overarching aim of the module is to critically examine selected key aspects of transnational commercial law in relation to cross-border transactions. The aspects selected are likely to be particularly relevant to those in international commercial practice, but the module also aims to give you a solid grounding in advanced commercial law.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. demonstrate detailed and systematic knowledge of, and an ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise in context, the complex challenges (political, social, economic etc.) for, and possible responses to, cross-border transacting;
• 2. demonstrate detailed and systematic knowledge of, and an ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise in context, complex aspects of legal regimes governing transnational commercial law (such as the Vienna Convention on the International Sale of Goods and New York Convention) as well as proposals for the future development of this area of law.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. use internationally relevant legal and non-legal materials in relation to commercial law;
• 4. demonstrate detailed knowledge, through structured and discursive writing, of the contextual (political, social, economic etc.) challenges and implications for transnational commercial law.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. demonstrate the ability to comprehensively use a range of resources for specific learning tasks;
• 6. present, explain and critically evaluate a range of substantive and theoretical arguments in assessments and teaching sessions;
• 7. work independently and manage time efficiently in preparing for learning activities and assessments.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• The nature of transnational commercial law
• Harmonisation and uniform law agendas
• Private international law and transnational commercial law
• United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (Vienna Convention)
• International commercial arbitration
• UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts
• Digital economy and international commercial law
  
  
  

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• R Goode, H Kronke, and E McKendrick, Transnational Commercial Law: Texts, Cases and Materials (2nd edn, 2015) – available as an electronic resource via the University library

• Further reading that students may find useful:

• R Goode and E McKendrick, Goode and McKendrick on Commercial Law (6th edn, 2021)

• Twigg-Flesner and Canavan, Atiyah and Adams' Sale of Goods (14th edn, 2020)

Key words search

International commercial law, transnational commercial law